Tourists will be able to visit the lookout tower on Špičák in Šumava on Wednesday

Železná Ruda (Klatovsko) - On Wednesday, a new 26-meter observation tower will be opened to tourists at Špičák in Železná Ruda. The lookout tower, costing 7.1 million crowns, was successfully built thanks to an EU subsidy. There are 135 steps to the upper gallery, and the building was approved today, said Michal Linhart from TJ Sportovní areál Špičák, which is the investor of the construction and the lookout tower is its property.
    "Finally, it has been possible to turn the dream of many tourists and locals into reality," he stated. The tower, which stands 26.5 meters tall, has a square footprint of 7.6 meters. The gallery of the tower will be 2.5 meters above the tops of the highest trees in the area and can accommodate up to 60 people at once.
    The lookout is located 50 meters from the end of the chairlift, and its operating hours will follow the summer operation of the lift at Špičák. Because the construction of 7.1 million crowns was subsidized by the EU by 87 percent, there will be no entrance fee for at least five years; turnstiles will only count visitors.
    The operation of the lookout tower at an altitude of 1202 meters will be managed by the Ski&Bike Špičák facility. According to its head, Vladimír Kasík, the tower will offer views as far as the Alps in good visibility. "In the Úhlava Valley, one can see all the way to Plzeň, and towards Sušice, it is visible up to Boubín, Poledník is visible, and of course, in Germany, the Javor, which is five kilometers from us, but during good visibility, the Dachstein Alps," he added.
    According to Linhart, the Železnorudsko area will gain additional attractiveness and diversity in its tourist offerings.
    The steel tower clad in wood will be open from June to the end of October, on weekdays from 09:00 to 17:00, and on weekends until 18:00. The ceremonial opening of the new landmark of Špičák will take place on Saturday, July 26.